Ten Easy DIY Home Décor Projects Using Recycled Materials

In the age of sustainability and environmental consciousness, incorporating recycled materials into home décor has become more than just a trend. It's a way of life. 

Not only does it breathe new life into old items, but it also adds a unique touch to your living space. Plus, it's incredibly satisfying to create something beautiful out of materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill. 

If you're looking to spruce up your home while reducing your carbon footprint, here are ten easy DIY home décor projects using recycled materials:

Mason Jar Vases: Don't toss those empty mason jars, turn them into charming vases instead! Clean them thoroughly, paint them in your favorite colors, and adorn them with ribbons or twine for a rustic look. These versatile vases are perfect for displaying fresh flowers or storing small items like pens and brushes.

Wine Cork Coasters: If you're a wine enthusiast, chances are you have a stash of wine corks lying around. Put them to good use by transforming them into coasters. Simply glue the corks together in a square or circular pattern, let them dry, and voila—you have stylish and eco-friendly coasters to protect your furniture.

Upcycled Planters: Give old tin cans, teapots, or even shoes a new lease on life by turning them into planters. Drill drainage holes in the bottom, add some soil and your favorite plants or herbs, and place them in windowsills or on shelves for a quirky touch of greenery.

Fabric Scrap Bunting: Got leftover fabric scraps from previous sewing projects? Use them to create a colorful bunting to decorate your walls or mantelpiece. Cut the fabric into triangles, attach them to a length of twine or ribbon, and hang them up for an instant pop of color.

Newspaper Wall Art: Turn yesterday's news into today's wall art by crafting intricate paper sculptures or simple collages. Experiment with different folding techniques or cut out interesting headlines and images to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Vintage Suitcase Shelves: Give old suitcases a new purpose by transforming them into stylish shelves. Remove the lid, add a coat of paint or varnish, and attach brackets to the back to hang them securely on the wall. These unique shelves are perfect for displaying books, plants, or decorative items.

CD Mosaic Mirror: Still have a stash of old CDs gathering dust? Use them to create a dazzling mosaic mirror that will add sparkle to any room. Break the CDs into small pieces, arrange them in a pattern on a plain mirror frame, and secure them with strong adhesive for a reflective work of art.

Repurposed Door Headboard: Give an old door a new life as a headboard for your bed. Sand it down, paint or stain it to match your bedroom décor, or use decoupage on it, then mount it securely to the wall behind your bed for a rustic and charming focal point.

Vintage Book Page Art: If you have old books that are falling apart or gathering dust on the shelves, why not turn them into works of art? Remove pages with interesting illustrations or text, frame them, and hang them up to add a touch of literary charm to your home.

Tin Can Lanterns: Create cozy ambiance in your outdoor space with DIY tin can lanterns. Use a hammer and nail to punch holes in empty tin cans in your desired pattern, place a tealight inside, and watch as the candlelight flickers through the holes, casting a warm and inviting glow.

With a little creativity and some basic crafting skills, you and your children, with guidance, can transform everyday objects into beautiful and functional pieces of home décor, all while reducing waste and embracing sustainability. So raid your recycling bin, gather your crafting supplies, and let your imagination run wild as you embark on these easy DIY projects. Your home, and the planet, will thank you for it!

10 Easy DIY Craft Projects for Beginners

Embarking on a journey into the world of crafting can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you're looking for a new hobby, a way to express your creativity, or simply seeking some relaxation time, DIY craft projects offer a perfect outlet. 

However, starting out can be daunting, especially if you're new to crafting. That's why we've compiled a list of 10 easy DIY craft projects tailored specifically for beginners. These projects are not only simple but also fun and satisfying to create, making them the perfect starting point for your crafting adventures.

Painted Mason Jars:

Transform plain mason jars into colorful and charming decorative pieces. All you need is some acrylic paint, brushes, and a bit of creativity. Experiment with different colours and patterns to personalise your jars to match your home decor or to give them as thoughtful handmade gifts.

No-Sew Fabric Bookmarks:

For those who love to read or know someone who does, these no-sew fabric bookmarks are both practical and adorable. Simply cut out fabric scraps into your desired shapes, attach some ribbon or string, and voila! You have a lovely handmade bookmark ready to accompany your reading adventures.

DIY Terrariums:

Terrariums are miniature gardens enclosed in glass containers, and they make for delightful decor pieces. Gather some small plants, pebbles, soil, and a glass container of your choice. Layer the ingredients creatively to build your own little green oasis.

Handmade Greeting Cards:

Instead of buying generic greeting cards, why not personalise your messages with handmade ones? Get some cardstock paper, markers, stickers, and other embellishments, and let your creativity flow. Handmade cards add a personal touch to any occasion and are sure to bring smiles to your loved ones' faces.

Decorative Paper Flowers:

Create everlasting blooms with decorative paper flowers. With just a few sheets of colored paper, scissors, and glue, you can craft beautiful flowers that will never wilt. Arrange them in a vase or use them to adorn gifts and cards.

Embroidered Hoop Art:

Embroidery hoop art is a trendy and versatile craft that allows you to explore your creativity with needle and thread. Start with a simple design and gradually work your way up to more intricate patterns. Once you're done stitching, display your masterpiece in a hoop for a charming wall decoration.

DIY Beaded Bracelets:

Jewellry-making can be both fun and rewarding, especially when you create your own beaded bracelets. Choose your favorite beads, string them onto elastic cord, and secure the ends with a knot. Experiment with different bead combinations to make bracelets that reflect your personal style.

DIY Scented Candles:

Making your own scented candles is easier than you might think and allows you to customize the fragrance to your liking. Melt some soy wax, add your chosen scent (such as essential oils), pour the mixture into containers, and insert wicks. In no time, you'll have lovely handmade candles perfect for setting a cozy ambiance.

Clay Jewellry Dishes:

Craft adorable clay jewellry dishes to keep your trinkets organised and within reach. Mold air-dry clay into various shapes and sizes, then decorate them with paint or metallic accents. These little dishes not only serve a practical purpose but also add a touch of charm to your dresser or nightstand.

DIY Tie-Dye T-Shirts:

Unleash your inner hippie with DIY tie-dye t-shirts. Gather some plain white t-shirts, tie them up with rubber bands in different patterns, and dunk them into vibrant fabric dyes. Once they've soaked up the colors, rinse and dry them to reveal your psychedelic creations. It's a fun activity that yields unique wearable art.

Embarking on a crafting journey doesn't have to be intimidating, especially with these 10 easy DIY craft projects for beginners. From simple painting and paper crafts to more hands-on activities like candle-making and jewelry crafting, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and let your creativity flourish as you dive into the world of DIY crafting. Who knows? You might just discover a newfound passion along the way. Happy crafting!

Getting Started with Decoupage: A Beginner's Guide to Crafting Magic

Decoupage is a delightful art form that allows individuals to transform ordinary objects into extraordinary pieces of décor. 

Derived from the French word "decouper," meaning "to cut out," decoupage involves decorating surfaces with paper cutouts, fabric, or other materials, and sealing them with layers of varnish or glue. 

It's a versatile and accessible craft suitable for beginners and seasoned artists alike. If you're intrigued by the idea of creating personalised and visually stunning items, then let's embark on a journey into the enchanting world of decoupage.

Understanding the Basics:

Before diving into your first decoupage project, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the fundamental techniques and materials involved. Here's a quick rundown:

Surfaces: Almost any surface can be decoupaged, including wood, glass, ceramic, metal, and even fabric. Choose a smooth, clean surface for best results.

Decoupage Medium: Decoupage medium acts as both an adhesive and a sealer. You can use specialised decoupage glue, Mod Podge, or even diluted white glue for this purpose.

Decorative Materials: Get creative with your choice of materials for decoupage. You can use decorative paper, napkins, fabric, magazine clippings, or even tissue paper.

Tools: Basic tools for decoupage include scissors for cutting out designs, a foam brush or brayer for applying the decoupage medium, and a soft brush for smoothing out wrinkles and air bubbles.

Getting Started:

Now that you have a grasp of the essentials, let's embark on your first decoupage project:

Select Your Surface: Choose an item to decorate. It could be a wooden box, a picture frame, a glass vase, or any other object that inspires you.

Prepare Your Materials: Gather your chosen decorative materials and cut out the designs you want to use. Experiment with different combinations to achieve your desired aesthetic.

Apply the Decoupage Medium: Using a foam brush or brayer (a type of craft roller), apply a thin layer of decoupage medium to the surface of your object. Place your cutouts onto the wet medium, arranging them as desired.

Smooth and Seal: Once your design is in place, gently smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles using a soft brush or your fingers. Allow the first layer to dry completely before applying additional coats of decoupage medium to seal and protect your design.

Finishing Touches: Once the final layer of decoupage medium has dried, you can add embellishments such as glitter, beads, or ribbon to enhance your creation further.

Tips for Success:

Start with small, simple projects to build your confidence and skills.

Experiment with different types of paper and fabrics to discover what works best for your desired outcomes.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes, decoupage is forgiving, and you can always cover up imperfections with additional layers.

Practice patience and allow each layer of decoupage medium to dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Decoupage is a delightful and rewarding craft that offers endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression.

 Whether you're embellishing a gift for a loved one or adding a personal touch to your home décor, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. So gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and prepare to be amazed by the magic of decoupage!

You can buy starter kits from art and craft shops or from Amazon or eBay to start you on this very relaxing and worthwhile hobby. You can decoupage anything from a figure of a kitten to a large piece of furniture.

(Image courtesy of jennamari89 from Pixabay and also the author)

Wall mounted floating wooden cabinet

Step by Step

How to make and install a floating wall-mounted Shaker-style wooden box for your DVD player and set top box for your wall-mounted flat screen TV…

Bought a flat screen TV and proudly wall mounted it only to have to deal with trailing wires to your DVD player and set top box? Make yourself a small floating wall mounted Shaker style wooden cabinet to take your DVD player and set top box and hide the wires behind a white board centered below your flat screen TV. Sounds complicated? Not a bit of it! Simply follow our step-by-step guide below!

Tools :

Dremel DSM20 Compact Saw with the DSM Edge Guide, Dremel DSM840 Cutting Guide and the Dremel DSM500 Multipurpose Wheel

Dremel 3000 with the Dremel Plunge Router Attachment 335 plus router bits 615, 640 and 654 and the Dremel EZ SpeedClic sanding discs SC411
Dremel Glue Gun and 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03

Other materials :

2350 x 500 x 18 mm premium timber board for wooden cabinet and internal shelf
Glass round handles for cabinet
3 metres of planed 36 x 4mm pine strip wood
Suitable screws/fixings to affix floating cabinet to wall
Batons to affix floating cabinet to wall
Primer and white satinwood paint
Panel pins
Tape measure

Cutting list

244 x 400 x 18mm premium timberboard for two sides of the cabinet
243 x 396 x 18mm premium timberboard for two doors
509 x 277 x 18mm premium timberboard for top
509 x 277 x 18mm premium timberboard for base
453 x 400 x 18mm premium timberboard for back
453 x 224 x 18mm premium timberboard for shelf
Four 396mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for upright door details
Four 171mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for horizontal door details
Two 224mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for shelf supports
White board/cable hide: 140mm w x 100mm h x 70mm d

Difficulty rating : three/four stars – intermediate

Step 1

Measure your DVD player and set top box to decide on the dimensions for the cabinet. Mark where it will go on the wall – centered, for example, allowing for a gap to get to any controls on the underside of the flat TV screen and for the wires. Measure the gap at the bottom of the TV screen where the wires need to be hidden by your white board, above the wooden cabinet.

Step 2

Mark up and cut all of the lengths of wood using the Dremel DSM20 compact saw, the DSM500 Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel and the DSM Edge Guide as per our cutting guide above.

Step 3

Then rout the front and side edge details onto the top of the cabinet using your Dremel 3000 multi-tool, Plunge Router Attachment 335 and the router bit 615.

Step 4

Using your Dremel Glue Gun and Dremel 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03, glue and pin the back of the cabinet to the two sides, and then glue and pin the top and base to the back and sides. Leave to dry.

Step 5

Cut the ten lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for horizontal and vertical door details using your Dremel DSM20, with Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel with the DSM840 Cutting Guide. Glue and pin the strips of wood using the Glue Gun and 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03 as before, onto the fronts of each door to create the Shaker effect.

Step 6

Choose where you want the hinges and rebate the cupboard and doors for each of them using your 3000 multi-tool with Plunge Router Attachment and router bits 654 and 650. Fit the doors to the cabinet with the hinges, and the screws that came with the hinges, using a manual screwdriver or powered driver and a suitable bit.

Step 7
Cut the shelf using your Dremel DSM20 and Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel to the size in our cutting list. Then, fit the shelf inside the cabinet. Make two wooden shelf brackets from the strips of wood you cut earlier. Cut the shelf supports from the 36 x 4mm pine strip wood, as per our cutting list. To fit the shelf supports inside the cabinet, glue and pin at a height of 19.1cm from the base. Leave to dry before inserting the shelf. Then, fit the shelf inside the cabinet.

Step 8
Fill all end grains with wood filler and sand off any excess using the multi-tool and EZ SpeedClic sanding discs SC411.

Step 9
Prime and paint to accessorise with wallpaper. Fit the door handles and mount the cabinet onto the wall at the desired height.

TIP: if you don’t need a wooden cabinet for this purpose, you could still use this project step-by-step guide if you wanted to make any small cabinet e.g. for the bathroom or kitchen.

For more information visit: www.dremel.co.uk

For more great projects, visit:

http://www.dremeleurope.com/specials/book-of-inspiration/gb/en/index.html

Ronacrete add new exterior screed to its growing screed range

RonaScreed Self Smoothing Exterior Screed is a flow applied industrial flooring system. It has been used in projects at Glaxo Smith Kline, Gaymers and Kwik-Fit.

RonaScreed Self Smoothing Exterior Screed provides a hard, durable floor surface for new floors or for renovating existing surfaces.

The material gains strength quickly and can be accessed by foot traffic in 4-5 hours and by light to medium traffic after 24 hours at 20ºC.

When applied correctly, RonaScreed Self Smoothing Exterior Screed produces a smooth, durable wearing surface. The application thickness can vary, ranging from 2mm to 40mm. For optimum performance and appearance RonaScreed Self Smoothing Exterior Screed should be applied by specialist industrial floor layers with expert knowledge of preparation, mixing and application.

Uses
• Domestic, commercial and industrial application
• To re-level large uneven floor surfaces - rapidly
• To upgrade and improve existing surfaces
Benefits
• Water tolerant
• Rapid return to service
• Self smoothing
• Prebagged for ease of use; just add water
• Excellent wear resistance
• Minimum disruption and downtime

Key Performance Indicators
• Foot traffic after four hours at 20ºC
• Rapid early strength development - ready for vehicle traffic after 18 hours
• Compressive strength up to 30N/mm²

www.screeds.ronacrete.co.uk/screeds/
tech@ronacrete.co.uk

Making and fitting a new piece of skirting board with Dremel

Get a Smart Finish to Your Walls...

It may not sound like much but a smart end to your walls in the form of the humble skirting board makes all the difference. Skirting boards get scuffed and worn and in some cases rot away or simply haven’t been fitted in the first place. So, a little time spent creating and fitting or replacing them will smarten up your home. Simply take your Dremel Multi-Max and follow our step-by-step guide to help you!

Materials required :

Dremel Multi-Max

Wood and Drywall Saw blade MM450

10mm Flush Cut blade MM470

Hook and Loop Sanding pad MM11

Sanding paper for wood MM70W in grit P60

Masonry drill

Pencil

Straight edge

Rawlplug

Set square

Difficulty rating :

Two stars – fairly easy

Step One

Measure the area at the foot of your wall that you want to cover with skirting board. Then, buy a length of skirting board from your local DIY superstore in the style that you want to either match your existing boards or replace them. Skirting boards come in many styles from the completely plain to suit a modern house, to ones with a bevelled edge, to highly decorative ones with lots of moulding for an older house. Mark up the point along the length at which you want to cut the board using a pencil and straight edge.

Step Two

Cut out the piece of skirting board to fit the area where you need to replace it using your Dremel Multi-Max and the Flush Cut blade MM470. If you are fitting it into a corner you may need to cut off the edge of each piece of skirting board to fit them together neatly using the Wood and Drywall Saw blade MM450.

Step Three

Sand to finish using the Multi-Max Hook and Loop Sanding Pad MM11 and the sanding paper for wood MM70W which comes in three grits P60, P120 and P240. Finally, using a masonry drill, drill a hole for a rawlplug into the brickwork and then screw the skirting board into position, avoiding pipes, and fix it to the wall.

For more information go to www.dremel.co.uk

For Dremel videos, please visit : http://www.youtube.com/user/DremelEurope

Something for the confident DIYer! The Black & Decker® High Performance range

Dab

hand at DIY? Looking to take on a more challenging project in your home this bank holiday weekend? Then  Black & Decker® has designed the perfect power tools for you.

The new Black & Decker High Performance range eliminates the need to call in a professional, allowing you to successfully complete more complex jobs yourself and still have time to enjoy the extra day off work. Highlights include the lightweight and compact Cordless 10.8v Drill Driver, Impact Driver and Reciprocating Saw, all with Lithium Ion technology to ensure the tools are ready to use when you need them and last for the duration of the job.

The 10.8v products are equipped with a 1.3ah lithium battery and charger that gives full charge within 30 minutes, meaning your tools will be ready to use whenever you need them. The vertical slide pack battery is inserted into the handle of the products, making them more compact and comfortable to use.

These tools have been developed specifically to give the DIYer total control for any job and allow easy access to confined spaces – ultimately allowing you to be more efficient!

Black & Decker brand ambassador, TV designer and renovation expert Ben Hillman comments: "The new High Performance range from Black & Decker® is ideal for completing an array of tasks around the home and garden, reducing the need to call in a professional. I am currently renovating my home and have used the products for a number of projects including creating under stair storage, installing kitchen cupboards and constructing decking in the garden."

"The size and weight of the 10.8v tools means they are comfortable and easy to manoeuvre and the powerful lithium battery ensures top performance. With the bank holiday weekend coming up, there couldn’t be a better time to start a new project or get those outstanding jobs completed."

10.8v Drill Driver and 10.8v Impact Driver
- Newly designed soft grip to reduce vibration
- LED worklight that provides visibility in dark areas
- Magnetic bit storage and belt clip
- 10.8v Drill Driver can drive 257 screws into wood on a single charge
- 10.8v Impact Driver can screw into 4mm steel in less than eight seconds
- Weighing just 1.1kg
- Lithium battery with 30 minutes charge time
- Charger that communicates when fully charged and cuts out to save energy

10.8v Cordless Reciprocating Saw
- Three positioned pivoting handle for easy access to tight areas
- Material clamp that reduces blade vibration and allows for easy one handed cutting
- 16mm stroke length
- 46,400mm per minute cut speed
- Weighing just 1.3kg
- Lithium battery with 30 minutes charge time
- Charger that communicates when fully charged and cuts out to save energy

Additional products in the Black & Decker® High Performance range include the Pneumatic Corded Drill, Corded Heatgun, Small Angle Grinder and Planer.

FACTFILE:
HPL106K Cordless Drill Driver – RRP £129.99, available from B&Q
HPL10IMK Cordless Impact Driver – RRP £129.99, available from B&Q
HPL10RSK Cordless Reciprocating Saw - RRP £129.99, available from B&Q
KW750K Planer – RRP £69.99, available from B&Q
KD750KC SDS+ Pneumatic Corded Drill – RRP £129.99, available from B&Q
K2200K Heatgun – RRP £49.99, available from B&Q
KG750/1 Small Angle Grinder – RRP £49.99, available from B&Q
For general enquiries, stockists, service and technical advice, please call 01753 511234 or visit www.blackanddecker.eu

Nick Knowles tops DIY help list

Presenter of DIY SOS Nick Knowles has topped a list of celebrities members of the public would most like to help them decorate their property. Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles comes in bottom of the charts narrowly followed by Lady GaGa and Take That front man Gary Barlow.

The results of the survey carried out by FrogTape are revealed in advance of the last bank holiday of the year when thousands of UK householders will use the long weekend to get on with decorating tasks they’ve been putting off. Or need to finish off after starting them at the last Bank Holiday!

The survey showed that 82.62% of those who responded considered painting the walls to be one of the most cost-effective ways of sprucing up the home without having to lay out a fortune.

Women apparently rule the roost when it comes to deciding which colour to paint the home, with 67.55% of wives making the colour choice. (EDITOR: I am colour-blind and my wife is a qualified interior decorator and writer on decorating. It's clear who is qualified to chose paints in our house!)

Says Alan Murray, head of marketing, FrogTape: “A fresh lick of paint is a great way to instantly transform and refresh your home, without breaking the bank.”

The poll found that, on average, people spend only half an hour preparing before undertaking decorating.

Murray advises: “Be prepared to put in some time if you want good quality results and don’t underestimate the time it takes to prepare the room prior to painting. A good quality finish is all in the preparation.”

"FrogTape is a new masking tape developed to ensure paint is kept out and lines are kept sharp. Using FrogTape makes it easy for even the novice decorator to get the job done properly first-time without the need for touch ups."

The survey also revealed more women would attempt to paint a room than men and that women were also less likely to botch a job than their male counterparts.

Nearly two thirds of men admitted they always have a bash at DIY even though they don't think they'll be very good.

The results also highlighted that two thirds of those polled said that the bleak economic climate had made them more likely to attempt jobs themselves rather than hiring a professional tradesman

Don't let Dad do the DIY!

With Father's Day upon us, it’s time for the women to get out the DIY tools and let Dad take a break from his shed! Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance has revealed that although UK men can talk a good game, they are more likely to hinder the process and cause disasters than women.

A recent survey by the UK’s leading provider of point of sale credit solutions revealed that almost a quarter of men (23%) liken themselves to Nick Knowles’ style of DIY and claim that though they know the basics, it is their female partner who is more likely to shine and get the job done this Father's Day.

What’s more, contrary to popular belief, men are a third more likely to have a costly DIY disaster than women, which is why fathers should put away the paintbrushes and power tools and stay tucked up in bed on Sunday.

And though some women across the country would prefer to get a professional to do the job (16%), 90 % own tools and know how to use them just like their DIY idol Craig Phillips.

In fact, ladies across the country are surpassing men across the board. More than half of women compare themselves to Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen’s painting skills, Linda Barker’s artistic flair and Charlie Dimmock’s green fingers, yet barely a third of men (33%) admit to the same skills.

Gerald Grimes, manager director at Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance, said: “Sunday’s are the perfect time for sprucing up the home with some family DIY and it’s clear that the nation is keen on practicing their skills and comparing their efforts to celebs. We are seeing a real trend in DIY as consumers look to improve their homes instead of moving and we expect to see a big surge over the Father’s Day weekend. Whether dads get a day off, only time will tell!

Over a quarter (27%) of those surveyed went on to agree that DIY is a cost effective way of doing up the home and over 10% feel that DIY is a good stress buster.

(EDITOR: As my wife's late father was a Master Builder and she has qualifications in interior design, decorating, garden design and gardening, I know my place as chief tea maker!)